They actually never left, but we see much less of them in the winter. They usually begin scouting for their next apartment for spring babies during late winter/early spring and with a warmer than usual winter, they were out and about earlier this year.
They are my favorite bird and our favorite to watch around here, along with Cardinals and the occassional Buntings. We have three Bluebird houses but only one and sometimes two are being utilized. Believe it or not, they actually took up residence in our Martin box several years ago, and an occassional Bluebird pair will still use it. So, for my recent birthday, the husband was sweet enough (as usual) to give me another Bluebird house and then he commenced to putting it up right away near the chicken coop, facing the morning sun (this is a must for them to want to use it).
In the last couple of weeks the Bluebirds were immediately attracted to a new house and finally one pair settled on moving in it. It was a joy to watch them filling it with the makings of a nest inside. If I were the excellent photographer like a daughter of mine, you’d have pictures of these activities going on, but alas I am not. So you have a picture of the new house and some Bluebirds from the internet.
I love spring, and Bluebirds announce it for me, especially when they begin nesting!
Nature has a way of reminding us that no matter what goes on around us, in the news, on the net, in politics or even in our own neighborhood, life really doesn’t have to be complicated to see the hand of God quietly and patiently revealing Himself and His love for us in a thousand different ways, day in and day out.
HAPPY SPRING!
~ Gwen of IRISH ACRES